plastic surgery

noun

: a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures

also : a procedure performed for such a purpose

Note: Reconstructive plastic surgery deals mainly with the surgical repair or restoration of an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area. It typically involves the grafting of tissue (such as skin or cartilage) from one part of the body to another. Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance and includes surgical procedures (such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation) as well as nonsurgical procedures (such as chemical peels and botulinum toxin injections).

Examples of plastic surgery in a Sentence

He needed plastic surgery on his face after the car accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ultimately the research was published in the number one cosmetic plastic surgery journal in the world. —Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024

That first year, an assignment on plastic surgery consultations led Kron to get her own facelift. —Patricia Tortolani, Allure, 3 Apr. 2024

Television Erin Moriarty refuses to be a prop in Megyn Kelly’s ‘appalling’ plastic surgery takes Jan. 29, 2024 Marco Gianuzzi, Rajpaul’s husband, testified Tuesday that the defendants performed the procedure on his wife a total of three times, including the deadly incident in 2019. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024

The clinic is very popular, and considered one of Guatemala's most luxurious plastic surgery providers. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2024

After the pictures surfaced, some trolls honed in on Fox’s facial features, accusing the movie star of having plastic surgery done. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024

For those who remember the Williamsburg of long ago, or even a decade ago, walking its streets can be disorienting, like running into an old friend who has had extensive plastic surgery. —New York Times, 29 Jan. 2024

Experts agree plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures are nothing to be ashamed of, and that transparency among celebrities is critical to dismantling unhealthy beauty norms. —USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024

Speaking of plastic surgery, PatientFi has been around since 2017, offering financing for breast augmentations, liposuction, and the like. —Samantha Leal, Allure, 20 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

plastic surgery

noun

: surgery concerned with the repair or improvement of lost, injured, defective, or misshapen parts of the body

Medical Definition

plastic surgery

noun

: a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures

also : a procedure performed for such a purpose

Note: Reconstructive plastic surgery deals mainly with the surgical repair or restoration of an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area. It typically involves the grafting of tissue (such as skin or cartilage) from one part of the body to another. Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance and includes surgical procedures (such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation) as well as nonsurgical procedures (such as chemical peels and botulinum toxin injections).